Fuller’s district to see some changes after 2014

Thursday

Jan 2, 2014 at 12:55 PM

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

As 2014 takes shape and political campaigning is on the horizon, the boundaries of some state Senate and Assembly districts will change.California’s 18th Senate District will be one of the more radical changes, as it transitions to the newly transformed 16th Senate District.The 18th district will shrink and move to the Los Angeles county area, including Hollywood. The transition comes years after California’s citizen-based redistricting finalized maps for Assembly and state Senate districts. The maps were finalized in November 2012.For Sen. Jean Fuller (R – Bakersfield), who has represented the 18th district for three years, this means a loss of a large swath of territory following the 2014 elections.One of the most noticeable changes is the loss of all of Inyo County.“I’m very, very sad to be losing the good people of Inyo County,” Fuller said Monday. “I’ve had a great relationship with Inyo County and I feel that we have been able to accomplish some things that were beneficial (to the area).”While it represents a large chunk geographically, demographically Inyo County makes up the least amount of the constituents Fuller represents. Inyo’s population in 2012 was just below 18,500 people.Inyo County merges into the drastically changed 8th Senate District after the 2014 elections, which formerly resided in San Francisco. Currently, San Francisco Democrat Leland Yee represents the district.With this change, Yee will no longer have a seat.While Fuller loses some territory, she would gain others, including Yucca Valley. Fuller’s term is up after 2014, but she said she would be looking forward to representing when and if reelected.“I will be working in that area for a little while to get to know the people there as the year progresses,” Fuller said.However, Fuller, like many in California’s legislature, don’t necessarily view redistricting as a whole thing.“I was disappointed with redistricting as a whole,” Fuller said. “It certainly did not yield the political landscape that I had expected, but it has been completed validated and it is time to move forward.”The Kern County portion still remains intact in Fuller’s territory, as does parts of San Bernardino and Tulare counties.“The district is very similar as compared to its past interest and political advocacy,” Fuller said.She stressed she would continue to help her Inyo County constituents until the district shifts occur.“I will be helping them right up to the minute the district transfers over to whomever wins that election, because they are just wonderful people,” Fuller said. She said there were potentially good candidates out there capable of representing the reshaped 8th District.“We’re just hoping that it will be someone who is willing to go out and spend time there, because they’re good people,” Fuller said. “They open their homes and hearts to you and they’re just very genuine.”